Texas Biking News February 18th 2022

Texbiker.net Posted on by

The National Park Service is studying Houston-area Emancipation Trail for potential federal recognition

By Alexandra Hart | www.texasstandard.org

Legislation was introduced in 2020 to explore making the route a National Historic Trail.

Texans are familiar with Juneteenth – the day commemorating the emancipation of slaves in Galveston, Texas, some two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. But what’s less widely known is the journey that came after emancipation: the migration of freed slaves from Galveston to Houston on what became known as the Emancipation Trail.

Now, the National Park Service is studying that route to potentially designate it as a National Historic Trail. The study is currently in comment period until the end of March, and the study is based in large part on the efforts and research of Naomi Mitchell Carrier, CEO of the Texas Center for African American Living History. …

… Can you actually follow this trail today?

Two years ago, we had an emancipation bike ride and people rode their bikes from Pier 21 in Galveston to Houston’s Emancipation Park. So yes, you can do it today. We’re talking about a little over 51 miles, maybe about 60 miles, depending on what detours you want to take. But yes, you can still travel that today. …

UHD Sports & Fitness Hosts CPR/First Aid Certification and Yoga Flow & Bike Ride

news.uhd.edu

Check out the latest from UHD Sports & Fitness!

American Red Cross CPR/First Aid Certification trainings with a certified instructor 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Feb. 18, March 24 and April 22, One Main Building, Room N600. To register, visit Member Services in the Jesse H. Jones Student Life Center.  The fee is $65.
 
New Healthy Workshop Series’ Yoga Flow & Bike Ride 6:15 – 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 22. Participants should meet in the Jesse H. Jones Student Life Center. Enter the drawing for a free yoga mat. ...

Bicyclist hit by SUV involved in crash on northwest side

Author: Erin Rodriguez (KENS 5) | www.kens5.com

The victim, who is believed to be in his mid-40s, was taken to the hospital in critical condition – but it doesn’t appear that he has any life-threatening injuries.

SAN ANTONIO — A man riding a bicycle on the northwest side was hit by an SUV that collided with a pickup truck Thursday morning on Bandera Road, north of Loop 410. The victim, who is believed to be in his mid-40s, was taken to the hospital in critical condition – but police said it doesn’t appear that he has any life-threatening injuries.

The two drivers collided on the northwest side at the intersection of Bandera Road and Guilbeau Road around 10:30 a.m. The driver of a Ford Expedition was turning southbound was knocked out of the lane and hit the bicyclist who was nearby on a sidewalk, police said. Investigators with the San Antonio Police Department said the other vehicle appeared to be turning in the opposite direction at the same time.

"The driver of the Expedition was displaying some erratic behavior," an official with SAPD told …

Houston, TX- Bicycle Store Manager

www.linkedin.com

Specialized Bicycle Components Houston, TX A critical member of the Specialized retail network, the Store Manager balances excellence in retail operations with a passion for the power of a great brand. The Store Manager maintains the culture of the business and sets the tone of the store. The ideal candidate has a consistent record encouraging successful, profitable retail, and wants to take that expertise to the next level as a driver of outstanding brand experiences. Beyond being a well-adapted business leader, the Store Manager works collaboratively with staff, retail partners, and local riders as a host, mentor, brand advocate, and customer service ace. This role also works cross-functionally with other members of the Specialized team to facilitate store-based events passionate about education, product launches, advocacy, and brand innovation. …

A journey through the Wild Wild West

By Kenneth Welch | www.crazyguyonabike.com

What Next: Analize, Adapt, Improvise, Overcome

Saturday February 12, 2022 Today, I will get on ol’ Bessie and go for a long training ride. Every moment riding on my recumbent trike is treasured time. Considering. Last Sunday, I was having breakfast with the grandsons, and it felt like I had something in my eye all day. By the evening, I was totally unable to see out of my left eye. Saw the retina specialist yesterday. The diagnosis surprised me. I had a stroke in my eye. I am fine now but cannot see out of the left eye. This is not going to stop me from pursuing my dream of being out on the road headed for the next bivouac location. The Wild Wild West just got a little wilder. Here comes a one-eyed old man with a cane on an electric assist etrike. If I’m going down, I’m going down riding my trike. I will eventually adapt to life with one good eye, and I will overcome this disability. Funny how some things you learn in the Marine Corps stay with you your whole life. They break you down and …

Modified Southern Tier Winter 2022

By Dean Mitchell | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Sanderson, TX

Thursday February 17, 2022, 88 km (55 miles) – Total so far: 1,397 km (868 miles) Easy ride today, tailwind all the way. No services at all between the two towns. Sanderson is pretty much shutdown, most places are closed. Did manage to get food at a food truck and small grocery store. At an RV park (Canyon RV) on the east side of town, not bad wifi, showers/bathrooms, etc. Very windy here though and a cold front moved through last night so temperatures are cooler than the past few days.

Sunny, windy, 14c.

San Antonio Parks Foundation’s Fest of Tails celebrates kite-flying and pet pooches this March

By Kelly Nelson | www.sacurrent.com

The San Antonio Parks Foundation’s Fest of Tails is returning for its 15th annual iteration on Saturday, March 12.

After last being held in October 2021 due to a pandemic-forced rescheduling, the event is returning to its traditional March timeline this year. …

… To honor its 15th anniversary, Fest of Tails is debuting the "Tour de Tails," a bicycle ride along the Salado Creek Greenway that ends at the festival in McAllister Park. Riders can choose a 3 mile or a 10 mile route, starting from either the Lady Bird Johnson Trailhead or the Hardberger Trailhead. Groups led by SATX Social Ride volunteers will leave each hour from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. …

$20.5mil of More White Oak Bayou Trails. from bikehouston

Wounded Warriors hosts a skills development camp in Killeen

By Madeline Oden | kdhnews.com

Wounded Warriors representatives are visiting Killeen through Sunday and hosting a skills and development camp through the organization’s Soldier Ride program.

The program is a multi-day program with multiple venues all over the country. The program pays for transportation and provides all the equipment for the veterans to come during the week and then leave on Sunday.

“We will usually do a little bit indoor and outdoor skill building. This afternoon we will have a ride through the area and then do it again tomorrow,” said Mike Owens, the Central Texas manager for the Soldier Ride program. “It’s a great way for camaraderie and getting together with other veterans. Really it gets everyone active and off the couch.”

Wounded Warriors is a global nonprofit veterans service organization that helps injured veterans in mind, …

Texas Biking from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

Zwifting New Makuri Islands Electric Loop Route

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The weather forecast for chilly temperatures today held true. It was 45 degrees outside when I started Zwifting. I rode inside on Zwift with the February update. Starting at 12:15 PM riding in the meetup I created I set out on the newly added Electric Loop in the Makuri Islands world. Checking the ZwiftInsider.com website after finishing the ride I found this description, “Released in Zwift’s February 2022 update, Electric Loop is a flat, short circuit similar to Twilight Harbor, but in the opposite direction.” I set the distance for the meetup at 12.4 miles thinking that was 2 laps but was actually longer than that. The route basics: Length: 8.9 km (5.5 miles), Elevation: 29 m (95‘), Lead-In: 0 km ( miles). For 2 laps I should’ve rode 11 miles. If I had checked before the ride I would’ve made the distance 16.5 miles. Shame on me.

I rode easy since I’m still recovering from eye surgery on Monday. I figured the flat route and easy pace would be good. I don’t have my new prescription glasses yet raking the computer monitor a little blurry even though it is 32″. On the companion app I could see some dots and the route but not too much detail. I was able to make out some details on the route profile in the upper left corner of the Zwift screen. I didn’t try using the reader glasses I got for close seeing.

Not too many Zwifters on this route during my ride.

RWGPS’s ride map shows the little climbs better than Strava below. With the new route I got 4 top results in Strava: PR on Electric Loop (20:13), PR on Alley Sprint (54s), 2nd fastest time on Electric Loop (22:49), 3rd fastest time on Alley Sprint (59s).

2-18-2022 Strava Zwift Makuri Islands Electric Loop Summary
2-18-2022 Strava Zwift Makuri Islands Electric Loop Summary
2-18-2022 RWGPS Zwift Makuri Islands Electric Loop Map
2-18-2022 RWGPS Zwift Makuri Islands Electric Loop Map

Texas Biking News February 17th 2022

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A plan to increase walking, bicycling in DFW

Herb Booth | www.uta.edu

The global COVID-19 pandemic resulted in at least one positive change: a marked increase in walking and cycling in many cities around the world, according to the United Nations.

That’s true here at home, too, as a 2020 North Central Texas Council of Governments study reported a 70% increase in walking and bicycling on Dallas-Fort Worth trails.

Hyesun Jeong

The University of Texas at Arlington’s Hyesun Jeong is working on a plan to map future “green” infrastructure in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to support this growth in walking and cycling. Funded by the American Institute of Architects’ Upjohn Research Initiative, the project is titled “The Future of Green Infrastructure: Measuring and Designing the Built Environment for Pedestrian and Bicycle Activities in Dallas-Fort Worth.”

Jeong, assistant professor of architecture in …

Bush Park Extension from bikehouston

West Houston to Downtown from bikehouston

Quick Tip: Race (or Ride) a Tour de France Stage in San Antonio, Texas?

www.roadbikerider.com

Did you know that the Tour de France has a worldwide series of one day events where you can ride a “stage” with other cyclists? It’s called L’Etap by Tour de France, and it was held in 13 countries in 2021 and has expanded to 26 countries this year for 2022. As they describe it, “L’Étape by Tour de France offers amateur cyclist the ability to race or ride a stage of the Tour de France in their own back yard.”

I had never heard of it until I saw a recent Facebook ad showed me that this year’s event held in the United States is located in San Antonio, Texas. Taking place on April 10, you can choose from racing the full 100 mile course, riding it, or riding the shorter 60 and 25 mile courses. There will also be a related criterium in …

Modified Southern Tier Winter 2022

By Dean Mitchell | www.crazyguyonabike.com

Marfa, TX

Tuesday February 15, 2022, 118 km (73 miles) – Total so far: 1,221 km (759 miles) I left at sunrise as I knew it was going to be a long day to Marfa. There were no places to stop in between. As the day went on, the countryside widened and the hills gave away to flat high desert plains. This meant the winds could whip up as there is no stopping them. I had a headwind early which turned to buffeting sidewinds. So, it was a very tough day on the bike. Tumble weeds …

Marathon, TX

Wednesday February 16, 2022, 88 km (55 miles) – Total so far: 1,309 km (813 miles) I was thinking today would be a rest day after yesterday’s difficult ride. I woke up feeling good and thought I would do a short day to Alpine. The winds were in my favour today, I got to Alpine before noon even though I left the hotel quite late. You do a bit of climbing through Pisano Pass but not difficult. I saw more hills today and they kept the winds at bay when the road turned for a short while to side winds. The final stretch to Marathon turned back to tailwind and at times I was doing …

Texas Biking from Twitter

New Events Added to Texbiker.net Calendar

A Long Wish Came True On The Kingwood Streets Bike Ride

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I’ve worn glasses since the fourth grade, about 66 years. When I started biking seriously in the early 1980’s I wanted to wear the stylish bike glasses the pros wore but my prescription was too strong to fit in the frames. Today a wish came true thanks to my recent cataract surgeries. I purchased some less expensive sunglasses from Amazon not knowing if I could wear them while biking. While I will need prescription glasses again I can see about the same as with the single vision prescription glasses I wore before the cataract surgeries. I’m now fashionable! To go with the glasses I wore a new pair of Pearl Izumi Elite Gel gloves since my previous black gloves were showing their age.

2-17-2022 New Pearl Izumi Gloves and Sunglasses
2-17-2022 New Pearl Izumi Gloves and Sunglasses

Between eye surgeries and unfriendly biking weather I only rode 86 road miles so far this month. I wanted to ride at least 14 miles today to get over 100 road miles before the approaching cold front arrived later today. I chose to ride Kingwood Streets and take it easy as I recover from my Monday eye surgery. Riding my Cervelo Caledonia bike I covered 19.14 miles boosting my month’s total to 105.5 road miles. My goal is 300 miles. The weather today was radically different from the recent days with a high of 79 degrees when I finished at 2:25 PM. Tomorrow it will be cold again so Zwifting will be on my agenda. Maybe the weather next week will be kind so I can ride more. My Cervelo now has 105 miles on it.

Earlier this morning it rained about 1/4″. I wasn’t sure if the streets would dry in time to ride but with some sun and strong wind they were ready by the 12;44 PM start time. While i waited I watched two races, Vuelta a Andalucia – Ruta del Sol (2.Pro) and Volta ao Algarve (2.Pro) on GCN+. Weather conditions for my ride: start 77 (humidity 61%, dew point 62), mostly cloudy, wind W 12 mph gusts 18 mph; finish 79 (humidity 38%, dew point 51), a few clouds, wind NW 10 mph gusts 18 mph. It felt great wearing my new wrap around sunglasses as the strong wind blew against my face. I also felt they protected my eyes from dust and other debris. With the warm weather I wore shorts, a regular long sleeve jersey and a short sleeve jersey on top of it. The warmth felt great.

The San Jacinto Bayou Greenway now has signage. You can see some of it in the video.

2-17-2022 Strava Kingwood Streets Bike Ride Summary
2-17-2022 Strava Kingwood Streets Bike Ride Summary
2-17-2022 RWGPS Kingwood Streets Bike Ride Map
2-17-2022 RWGPS Kingwood Streets Bike Ride Map